JPH08335953A - Communication support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a communication support system where a sender informs in advance the information of a communication means available by a recipient and the video image indicating the state of a subscriber's equipment at the start of communication. CONSTITUTION: The system is provided with a LAN 40, an exchange 41, a portable terminal equipment management equipment 42, and a personal information storage management equipment 43, and each subscriber is provided with a display device 11, a video camera 12 and a video communication equipment 13 connecting to the LAN 40 to send/receive a video image to/from the display device 11 and the video camera 12. The personal information storage management equipment 43 manages the cross reference between the user and a subscriber's equipment and the information of a communication means used by the user and controls the video communication equipment 13 so as to display the video image of the state of the subscriber's equipment of the recipient from the video camera. The portable terminal equipment management equipment 42 obtains the position information of the user and the information denoting a sender and a recipient and sends the information of the recipient communication means sent from the personal information storage management equipment to the portable terminal equipment of the sender.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication support system in a communication system, and more particularly to a system for supporting a sender so that the sender can communicate in consideration of the convenience of the sender.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, we have various communication means available. Those communication means are roughly classified into two types: an immediate communication means typified by a telephone and a video conference system, and a storage communication means typified by a fax and electronic mail. These two have been developed by complementing each other's strengths and weaknesses, and have been accepted by users. On the other hand, for example, in the case of a telephone that has no choice but to pick up when it rings, the recipient who is suddenly interrupted by the incoming call suspends the work up to that point and receives the telephone. In a large Japanese office, if the sender does not have the intended recipient, a third party will answer the call on behalf of the sender.

[0003]

The above-mentioned prior art has a problem that the receiver has to temporarily suspend his / her work, and it is impossible to predict when this interrupt will occur. These are due to the fact that the communication means is generally designed around the sender and the sender has the initiative. In other words, when Mr. A tries to contact Mr. B, only the sender, Mr. A, has the choice of which of the several types of communication methods between A and B to use when contacting. The current situation is that Mr. B, who exists and is the recipient, must accept the selection result. Until now, various communication methods have been developed aiming at "faster, more accurate, and larger amount", and in recent years, new communication means have been created with the catchphrase "anytime, anywhere, with anyone". However, this catch phrase itself indicates that the recipient's convenience is ignored, and the demand for an answering machine function even on a mobile phone is a direct expression of dissatisfaction with this.

Although the telephone is taken up as a familiar and prominent example here, it should be noted that this problem is broadly applicable regardless of whether the communication system is an immediate system or a storage system. For example, in the case of e-mail, even people who often use e-mail
It happens that I can't access it for a few days on a business trip, so it is convenient for someone who put it on my answering machine so that I can hear it from the business trip destination, I do not use it much even if I have an e-mail address, I only use it for faxing. If the person does not pass the call, the sender's message may be buried.

Originally, it would be natural to think that communication cannot be established unless mutual circumstances (time, place, method, etc.) are met. If you are in front of you, you can decide whether it is okay to talk to you now, or write down a note and hand it over. In telecommunications through communication means, it is difficult to know the information for making this determination before using the communication means. We focus here. The originator wants (or may not want to be contacted) the communication partner the contact they are trying to reach, where and when they want to be contacted ), I think that if we can know the information, we can communicate with each other comfortably. We want to create a tool that helps users when they need it. For that purpose, it is necessary to organize and reconsider the design of the communication means from the viewpoint of the receiver. So far, the discussion about the convenience of the recipient is late at night
There is a case where you make a phone call and check if you can talk now and then talk about your business, which belongs to the so-called manners. We have to discuss how to deal with the convenience of the recipient concretely when using various communication means properly.

Communication is inherently relative, and it is desirable that the circumstances of both the sender and the receiver match. However, as described above, in the conventional communication system, the communication is started mainly for the convenience of the caller, and the communication means is selected. Therefore, the consideration of the convenience of the recipient was entirely based on the personal etiquette of the sender.
Therefore, it has been desired to be able to solve such a situation as a system.

It is an object of the present invention that, when a sender starts communication, the sender can be shown information indicating the convenience of the receiver so that the sender can be notified of the convenience of the receiver prior to the communication. To provide a support system.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, any one of a plurality of grounds connectable via a communication system including at least one communication means A communication support system for supporting communication from one of the grounds to any other ground, an image capturing means for capturing a video showing a state of the ground, and a display means for displaying the video, An image to be taken in from the image pickup means, the fetched image data is transmitted for another ground, and the transmitted video data for another ground is received and displayed on the display means. A communication device is provided for each ground, and if there is a request for information indicating the status of any other ground from one of the grounds via the communication system, the communication system transmits the data via the communication system. With respect to the other ground of the video communication apparatus, a communication support system which is characterized in that it comprises means for instructing to send an image for the ground to the video communication apparatus of the requesting ground it is provided.

In the first aspect, the image pickup means is
At each ground, the state of each ground, in particular, the people who are located there are imaged. As a result, the image data in which the state of the ground is visually expressed including the states of the people who are located there can be obtained.

The means for instructing to send the video data about the ground to the video communication device at the requesting ground is a request for information indicating the status of any other ground from any ground via the communication system. Accept. Then, via the communication system, the other video communication device of the ground is instructed to send the video data of the ground to the video communication device of the requesting ground.

In response to the instruction, the video communication device places the video data on the ground where the user (sender) who is about to start communication toward the user (receiver) located on the ground. Sent to the video communication device. Then, the video communication device sends the video data to the display unit to display the video. This video communication device is, for example, a communication connection means for performing communication via a communication system, a storage means for updating and storing video data taken in from an imaging means, and a video received by the communication connection means. It can be configured by including means for outputting data to the display means.

The display means may have a display having a size capable of displaying a person in an apparently life-size image. For example, a display device of a panel display type, a display device of a type that projects on a screen by a projector, and the like are used. As described above, by using the large-sized display, the display contents of the display can be seen from various places on the ground. Also, since the person can be seen as if it were a life-size image, it is possible to see the appearance of the other party with a sense of realism.

As described above, according to the first aspect, when the sender starts communication, information indicating the convenience of the receiver,
That is, the image of the ground can be displayed on the display at the sender side to notify the sender of the convenience of the receiver prior to communication.

Further, this aspect can further include a user position registration means for registering user position information indicating the location of the user at the ground. The user position registration means is provided, for example, for a plurality of mobile terminals each provided with a unique identifier and for each ground, and a base for detecting the identifier of the mobile terminal located in the ground within each ground. Station and mobile terminal management including means for receiving information on a detected mobile terminal identifier from the detected base station via a communication system and storing information indicating a correspondence relationship between the base station and the mobile terminal identifier It can be configured by including a device. Thereby, in the first aspect, the mobile terminal can be used. As will be described later, this mobile terminal is used to know the position of the user and to know the state of the user.

Next, according to the second aspect of the present invention, with respect to a plurality of grounds connectable via a communication system including at least one communication means, communication is performed from any ground to any other ground. A communication support system that provides support when performing, a plurality of mobile terminals each provided with a unique identifier, and provided for each ground, within each ground, of the mobile terminals located in the ground Means for receiving information on the identifier of the base station that detects the identifier and the identifier of the detected mobile terminal from the detected base station via the communication system, and storing information indicating the correspondence relationship between the base station and the identifier of the mobile terminal. And a mobile terminal management device having the above.

As a result, the portable terminal can be used. As will be described later, this mobile terminal is used to know the position of the user and to know the state of the user.

In the first and second aspects, each portable terminal is provided with a wireless communication section capable of communicating with the base station by wireless communication, and when the power is turned on, the wireless communication section gives the terminal to the terminal. And means for transmitting the generated identifier. As a result, the user can hold and move the mobile terminal, and by identifying the mobile terminal, the location of the user can be detected via the mobile terminal.

In the first and second aspects, a personal information storage management device for storing and managing personal information of the user holding the portable terminal can be further provided. Further, the mobile terminal management device stores in advance information indicating a correspondence relationship between the mobile terminal and a user holding the mobile terminal, and information stored above indicating the correspondence relationship between the mobile terminal and a user holding the mobile terminal. And means for generating information indicating the location of the user using the information indicating the correspondence relationship between the base station and the identifier of the mobile terminal, and transmitting the information indicating the location of the user to the personal information storage management device via the communication system. be able to. By doing so, each mobile terminal can be collectively managed by the mobile terminal management device, and further, based on the location of the mobile terminal and its relationship, position information indicating the position of the user who owns the mobile terminal can be generated. You can

In the first and second aspects, the portable terminal includes an input unit capable of receiving at least an input for designating a user who is to be a receiver, and the wireless communication unit, which includes a user who is to be a receiver. A means for transmitting the designation to the personal information storage management device via the base station, a display unit for displaying the data generated by itself and the data transmitted from the outside, and the wireless communication unit received Means for displaying the content on the display unit may be further provided. With this portable terminal, it is possible to request information indicating the status of the user who should be the recipient, and to receive a part of the information.

In the first and second aspects, the personal information storage / management apparatus has at least one of information indicating a communication means personally available to the user and information indicating a communication means available to a certain ground. Communication means information registration means for registering communication means information including, and information sent from the mobile terminal management device indicating the location of the user,
When the user location information storage means for storing and the designation of the user to be the receiver sent from the mobile terminal via the base station are received, the user designated by the communication means information registration means is referred to by referring to the user location information. It is possible to provide a means for reading the communication means information of and transmitting it to the mobile terminal management device via the communication system. As a result, the personal information storage management device requests at least one of the information indicating the communication means that the user can personally use and the information indicating the communication means that can be used at a certain ground from the mobile terminal. Can be provided accordingly.

In the first and second aspects, the portable terminal management device can be configured to include means for transmitting the communication means information sent from the personal information storage management means to the sender's portable terminal. . Further, the mobile terminal can cause the display unit to display the communication means information sent from the mobile terminal management device on the display unit that displays the content received by the wireless communication unit. by this,
Communication means that can be used by the user to be the recipient, eg telephone, email, etc., are displayed for the sender. The sender can communicate with the receiver by using the communication means selected from the sender.

In the present invention, the communication system is
It is possible to have a configuration in which a telephone set placed on each ground and a switchboard for connecting the extension line and the external line of these telephone sets are provided. Further, the personal information storage management device includes a communication means information registration means in which communication means information including at least information indicating a communication means including a telephone, which is usable in a certain ground, is registered, and a transmission from the portable terminal management device. The user position information storage means for receiving and storing the information indicating the location of the user, and the user position information are referred to, and the communication means information at the ground where the user is located is read to read the information for each user. , A means for transmitting the telephone number of usable ground data communication means to the exchange through the communication system, wherein the exchange transmits the transmitted telephone number to the transfer destination telephone for the telephone number of the user up to that point. It may be configured to include a unit for registering as a number. This allows the exchange to automatically transfer the call to the transfer destination when the telephone that has been used by the user who should be the recipient has received the call.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the pre-registered personal communication means and ground communication means are automatically adjusted to the ground where the user who is the recipient is, and the ground where the user who is the recipient is also present. Is automatically displayed as an image. Therefore, when the user who is the sender selects the communication means and executes the means, it becomes possible to easily acquire the receiver communication means, and it becomes possible to observe the state of the ground with a video. It is possible to easily know information that is highly convenient for selecting a more appropriate communication means.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an outline of the configuration of the communication support system of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication support system according to the present invention includes a plurality of (three of A, B and C are shown in FIG. 1) destinations A10, B20, C30 and a public network 4.
This is a system for supporting the communication with the outside via the 5. In this system, an exchange 41 connected to an external public network for telephone exchange, a mobile terminal management device 42 connected to a mobile terminal and managing them,
In this system, the personal information accumulation management device 43 accumulates and manages the personal information for receiving the service and controls to send the video data showing the state of the receiving side ground to the transmitting side ground.
And are commonly installed in each of the grounds A10, B20, and C30. Further, video communication devices 13, 23, 33 are provided in each of the grounds A10, B20, C30. Further, in this system, a LAN (Local Area Network) 40 is installed. Then, the exchange 41, the mobile terminal management device 42, the personal information storage management device 43, and
The video communication devices 13, 23, 33 are connected to the LAN 40.

A ground A10 indicates one of the communication grounds of the communication system of the present invention. On the ground A10, a video camera 12, a display 11 and a base station 14 are provided.
And a telephone a16 are arranged.

The video camera 12 is connected to the video communication device 13, photographs the situation of the ground A10, and sends video data to the video communication device 13. In this example, the ground A10
Take a wide-angle shot so that you can see the inside.
The video camera 12 has an attitude control device (not shown).
May be added, and a specific object may be zoomed up and photographed. In this case, the attitude control device knows the position of the device by receiving the information for specifying the device used for communication, obtains the azimuth and distance to be zoomed in from its own position and its position, and Camera 1
Control 2

The display 11 is connected to the video communication device 13 and is used to display a video imaged by a video camera on another ground. As the display 11, a general-purpose display that can be used for various displays can be used. However, in this embodiment, the display 1
1 has a large display surface so that the user can see it well at any position in the ground. The size of the display 11 may be, for example, such that a person can be displayed in a life-size image. Another advantage of using such a large-sized display is that, for example, it is possible to see the other person's state with a sense of realism, as if they were looking into the room where the other person is. The display 11
You may arrange multiple. Of course, a small display may be used if a large display cannot be arranged. In that case, it is preferable to arrange a plurality of units.

The video communication device 13 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 150 and a memory 1 as shown in FIG.
51 and the video camera 12 by connecting to the video camera 12
To a video camera interface 152, a display interface 153 for connecting to the display 11 and outputting video data, and an L for connecting to the LAN 40.
And an AN connection interface 154. The video communication device 13 functions as a means for taking in video data from the video camera 12 and transmitting it via the LAN 40, receiving the video data transmitted via the LAN 40, and displaying the video on the display 11. Function as a means for displaying. The video communication device 13 uses the video camera 12 with the video camera interface 152 to capture video at a constant cycle. Each time the video data is loaded into the memory 151, the video data is updated to the latest video data and stored. Upon receiving an instruction from the personal information storage management device 43 via the LAN connection interface 154, the CPU 150 sends the latest video data stored in the memory 151 to the video communication device 13 on the ground where the sender is located. . If the transmission capacity of the LAN 40 is large, moving image may be sent.

The base station 14 is a device that transmits and receives radio waves when a mobile terminal capable of wireless communication performs wireless communication, and is connected to the mobile terminal management device 42. The base station 14 itself or at least the antenna portion (not shown) is arranged at a position where the entire ground A10 can be viewed in a radio wave manner. Specifically, for example, it is installed near the ceiling in the room.

The telephone set a16 is capable of making an ordinary telephone call and is connected to the exchange 41. Although only one telephone a16 is shown in FIG. 1, this is a representative one and is not limited to one. Therefore, a plurality of telephones a16 can be arranged. Further, as the telephone a16, one used for a purpose other than a normal telephone call can be arranged. As such a telephone a16, for example, a facsimile,
A computer having a modem may be used.

Ground B20 and ground C30 are also ground A10.
It has the same configuration as. On the ground B20, display 2
1, video camera 22, video communication device 23, base station 2
4 and a telephone b26. Similarly,
The ground C30 includes a display 31, a video camera 32,
Video communication device 33, base station 34, and telephone c36
Is arranged.

In the communication system to be supported by the support system of the present invention, in addition to the communication means such as the above-mentioned telephone set installed corresponding to the ground, communication means installed corresponding to the user can be used. That is, as communication means therefor, the mobile terminal a15, the mobile terminal b25, and the mobile terminal c
35.

The mobile terminal a15, the mobile terminal b25, and the mobile terminal c35 are wireless communication-enabled and portable information processing devices that are occupied and used by one user, respectively, and the mobile terminals are wirelessly communicated via a base station. It is connected to the management device 42. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal a15 is occupied by the user a17, the mobile terminal b25 is occupied by the user b27, and the mobile terminal c35 is occupied by the user c37. Each of the mobile terminal a15, the mobile terminal b25, and the mobile terminal c35 has its own terminal ID (identifier) set in advance. When the power is turned on, a means for transmitting the ID and transmitting it to the mobile terminal management device 42 is provided. Have. The mobile terminal a15, the mobile terminal b25, and the mobile terminal c35 are means for designating a user who is a sender and a user who is a recipient, and means for transmitting the user ID of the designated recipient to the mobile terminal management device 42. And means for receiving and displaying the communication means information of the recipient sent from the mobile terminal management device 42.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the configuration of a mobile terminal.
That is, the mobile terminal 15 includes the central processing unit (CPU) 1
60, a memory 161, an input device 162, a display device 163, and a wireless communication device 164. Memory 16
1 has an area for storing an ID. Input device 1
The reference numeral 62 is composed of, for example, a touch panel, a keyboard and the like. For the display device 163, for example, a liquid crystal display is used. The wireless communication device 164, between the base station,
For example, communication is performed by radio waves.

In the above example, the information processing device is used as the portable terminal, but any other device may be used as long as the above function can be realized. For example, it may be a mobile phone or the like.

The structure of the exchange 41 is shown in FIG. The exchange 41 is an existing exchange having an interface 123 connected to an extension line and an interface 122 connected to an outside line, and an interface 124 connected to a LAN.
A central processing unit (CPU) 120 and a memory 121 for accumulating data are provided. In the memory 121,
A correspondence table 75 between the transfer destination telephone numbers and the transfer source telephone numbers is stored (see FIG. 6). In addition, the memory 121 has a CP
The program of U120 is stored. This exchange 41
It is connected to the public network 45 and the LAN 40, and under the control of the CPU 120, a connection process between the corresponding local telephone and each local telephone or an external telephone is performed.

FIG. 12 shows the configuration of the mobile terminal management device 42. The mobile terminal management device 42 is a device including an interface 132 that connects to a base station, an interface 133 that connects to the LAN 40, a CPU 130, and a memory 131 that stores data, and is connected to the LAN 40.
It is connected to each ground base station. Mobile terminal management device 4
2 is, for example, as schematically shown in FIG. 2, a correspondence table 50 (see FIG. 2) between base stations and installation locations, and a mobile terminal I.
The correspondence table 55 (see FIG. 3) between D and the user ID is stored in the memory 1
Store in 31. In addition, the mobile terminal management device 42 generates position information indicating which place the user is on the ground, which is configured by executing the program stored in the memory 131, based on the correspondence table 50 and the correspondence table 55, and A means for automatically transmitting to the information management apparatus 43, a means for transmitting the position information (ground) of the sender and a user ID of the receiver to the personal information storage and management apparatus 43, and a personal information storage and management apparatus 43. And a means for transmitting information of a communication means (hereinafter abbreviated as receiver communication means), which is a combination of the personal communication means of the recipient and the ground communication means of the recipient, sent to the portable terminal of the sender.

The configuration of the personal information storage management device 43 is shown in FIG.
Shown in The personal information storage management device 43 includes an interface 142 that connects to the LAN 40, a CPU 140, and a memory 141 that stores data, and is connected to the LAN 40. The personal information storage / management device 43 has a capability of storing and managing position information indicating to which ground the user is located, information on communication means available at the ground, and information on communication means available to an individual. User ID on the device
Table 80 (refer to FIG. 7) of the correspondence with the ground and the table 60 (refer to FIG. 4) of the personal communication means for storing the communication means (hereinafter abbreviated as personal communication means) that can be used by individuals registered in advance. ), And a table 70 (see FIG. 5) of ground communication means for storing communication means (hereinafter, abbreviated as ground communication means) that can be used in advance and are stored in the memory 141.

Further, the personal information storage management device 43 has various means configured by executing the program stored in the memory 141. That is, a means for accumulating the correspondence table 80 for the correspondence between the user ID and the ground based on the transmitted user position information, and an incoming call to the personal extension telephone number of the user registered from the mobile terminal management device 42. The extension telephone number of the corresponding ground is obtained from the table 60 of the personal communication means and the table 70 of the ground communication means based on the position information,
It has means for automatically registering an instruction to transfer to the extension number in the exchange 41. Further, the personal information storage management device retrieves the information of the personal communication means of the user by using the user ID as a key, retrieves the location information of the user by using the user ID as a key, and obtains the obtained location information. A means for retrieving the information of the ground communication means as a key, a means for merging the obtained information of the personal communication means and the ground communication means, and transmitting the merged information to the portable terminal management device 42, and the obtained position information of the recipient and transmission. Based on the position information of the sender, an instruction to the video communication device on the ground of the receiver to transmit the video data from the video camera of the ground to the video communication device on the ground of the sender and the video communication of the ground on the receiver to the video communication device on the ground of the sender. And means for receiving video data from the device and giving an instruction to display on the display.

In the above-mentioned structure, the LA is used in this embodiment.
The N40, the exchange 41, and the telephones 16, 26, 36 are installed as a base for a user to communicate with each other and constitute a communication system. On the other hand, the mobile terminal management device 42
, Base stations 14, 24, 34, and mobile terminals 15, 25,
35, the personal information storage management device 43, and the video camera 1
2,22,32 and displays 11,21,31,
The video communication devices 13, 23, 33 are installed as a base for supporting the user in performing communication, and constitute a communication support system. The exchange 41 has a part of its functions used as a function for constructing a communication support system. In this embodiment, by utilizing such a base, a communication means that can be used by the receiver for communication, information of the communication means that can be used at the ground where the receiver is, and a video of the appearance of the ground are provided. , Assist the caller to know in advance when communicating.

First, the flow of processing at the time of registering the position information of the user for communication support will be described with reference to FIGS.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the user a17
When the mobile terminal a15 enters the ground A10 and turns on the power of the mobile terminal a15, the user position information is registered in the procedure as shown in FIG. That is, the mobile terminal a15
Sends the ID of its own terminal. The base station a14
D is received and sent to the mobile terminal management device 42 (step 101).

The mobile terminal management device 42 that has received this terminal ID has a correspondence table 5 of base stations and installation locations that it holds in advance.
0 is searched using the base station as a key, and the mobile terminal a15 is found to be on the ground A10. Next, the correspondence table 55 of the mobile terminal ID and the user ID which is held in advance is searched using the terminal ID as a key, and the mobile terminal a15 obtains that the user a17 is using it. From the information obtained here, the position information that the user a17 is at the ground A10 can be generated. The mobile terminal management device 42 transmits this position information to the personal information storage management device 43 (step 102).

The personal information storage management device 43 stores the transmitted user position information in the correspondence table 80 between the user ID and the ground.
Is stored in the memory 141. Next, the table 60 of the personal communication means registered in advance is searched by using the user ID transmitted in step 102 as a key, and the information of the personal communication means of the user a17 is obtained. Next, the table 70 of the ground communication means registered in advance is searched by using the ground communication transmitted in step 102 as a key, and the information of the ground communication means of the ground A10 is obtained. The CPU 120 performs a merge process that merges the two pieces of information obtained here. At that time, the communication means 62 and 72 are compared with the personal communication means and the ground communication means shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. If you have the same means of communication,
A merging process that prioritizes the communication means of the ground communication means is performed.
In this process, if there are both telephones, an instruction to transfer the incoming call to the telephone number described in the telephone of the personal communication means to the telephone number of the ground is transmitted to the exchange 41 (step 103). The exchange 41 holds the telephone number of the transfer destination as a correspondence table 75 of the transfer source and the transfer destination.

As described above, the user a17 uses the mobile terminal a.
After turning on the power source of 15, all are automatically processed, and the position information of the user a17 is registered in the system. The main registration process is performed for all the ground and all the users of the communication support system having the configuration of the present invention.

Next, the flow of processing at the time of retrieving user position information will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10.

When the system is started, each ground A10,
In each of B20 and C30, the video communication device 1
3, 23, 33 take in the video data of the respective grounds A10, B20, C30 from the corresponding video cameras 12, 22, 32 at a predetermined cycle, and store and hold the video data. After that, the video communication devices 13, 23, 33 fetch the video data from the corresponding video cameras 12, 22, 32 at a predetermined cycle and update the video data up to that point. That is, each of the video communication devices 13, 23 and 33 holds the latest video data. In addition, the video communication device 13,
Of the devices 23 and 33, the device that receives an instruction from the personal information storage management device 43, for example, the video communication device 33, is the video communication device in which the sender is located, for example, the video communication device 13.
Then, the held video data is transmitted via the LAN 40. On the other hand, the video communication device 13 that has received the transmitted video data displays the received video data on the display 11. The transmission of the above video data ends when the video data currently held is transmitted. On the other hand, the received video communication device 13 displays the received video data on the display 11 for a predetermined time.

For example, in FIG. 1, when the user c37 tries to start communication with the user b27, the user c37
Using the mobile terminal c35, the user b2 who is the recipient
When 7 is specified, the mobile terminal c35 transmits the user ID of the user b27 (FIG. 9: step 111). Base station c
The mobile terminal management device 42, which has received this user ID via 34, searches the correspondence table 50 (see FIG. 2) between the base stations and the installation locations that it holds in advance, using the base station as a key, and the mobile terminal c35 displays Get to ground C30. Then, the position information of the mobile terminal c35 and the user ID of the recipient user b27 obtained by the transmission in step 111 are paired,
It is transmitted to the personal information storage management device 43 (FIG. 9: step 112).

The personal information storage management device 43 searches the table 60 (see FIG. 4) of the personal communication means registered in advance by using the user ID of the user b27 transmitted in step 112 as a key, and the personal information of the user b27. Get information about communication means. Next, using the user ID of the recipient user b27 obtained in step 112 as a key, the user ID held during registration
And the ground correspondence table 80 (see FIG. 7) are searched, and the user b
Obtain 27 location information. Next, the user b27 obtained here
Using the position information of as a key, the table 70 (see FIG. 5) of the ground communication means registered in advance is searched, and the information of the ground communication means of the ground B20 is obtained. The personal communication means of the user b27 obtained here and the two pieces of information of the ground communication means of the ground B20 are merged to generate a receiver communication means. At that time, comparing the personal communication means and the ground communication means with the communication means 62, 72,
When there is the same communication means, the merging process that gives priority to the communication means of the ground communication means is performed. Next, the receiver communication means generated here is transmitted to the mobile terminal management device 42 (FIG. 9:
Step 113).

The mobile terminal management device 42 proceeds to step 113.
The information on the receiver communication means obtained in step S34 is transmitted to the mobile terminal c35 via the base station c34 (FIG. 9: step 114).
The mobile terminal c35 displays the received recipient communication means information of step 114 on the screen of the display device 163 (FIG. 1).
0a). Thereby, the sender user c37 obtains the receiver communication means of the receiver user b27.

On the other hand, the personal information storage management device 43 uses the location information of the sender user c37 obtained in step 112 and the user ID of the recipient user b27 obtained in step 112 as a key and the user ID held at the time of registration. The correspondence table 80 with the ground (see FIG. 7) is searched. The personal information storage management device 43 issues an instruction to the video communication device 23 on the ground B to transmit the video data captured from the video camera 22 to the video communication device 33 on the ground C based on the position information of the user b27 obtained by the search. (FIG. 9: Step 115), then
To the video communication device 33 of the ground C, the video communication device 2 of the ground B
The video data from 3 is received, and an instruction to display on the display 31 is issued (FIG. 9: step 116). As described above, the sender user c37 obtains the image of the state of the receiver user b27 at the ground B20 (FIG. 10b).

The image of the state of the recipient user b27 on the ground B20 on the display 31 is erased after a lapse of a certain time. This fixed period of time can be set, for example, independently or in association with the image capturing period. More specifically, the time required for the sender to check the video and start communication with the receiver, for example, at most several minutes. Of course, this time may be set / changed as appropriate. In this way, other callers can be used. Note that the image on the display 31 may be continued while the caller is communicating. In this case, it functions as a substantial TV phone. When a plurality of callers want to use the screen, the screen may be divided and each video may be displayed.
Further, when there are a plurality of displays, the display may be assigned to each caller.

The communication support system is realized by the above processing. Thus, in the communication system, when the sender communicates the communication means that the receiver can use for communication, the information of the communication means that can be used on the ground where the receiver is, and the image of the state of the ground. , You can easily know in advance.

In this embodiment, the personal communication means and the ground communication means which are registered in advance are automatically adjusted to the ground where the user who is the receiver exists, and the appearance of the ground where the user who is the receiver is present is displayed. Since the data is automatically stored as data, there is an effect that it becomes possible to easily acquire the receiver communication means when the user who is the sender selects the communication means and executes the communication means. It is possible to observe the above situation with an image, and it is possible to easily know information that is more convenient for selecting an appropriate communication means.

In the above embodiment, the video data is fetched from the video camera to the video communication device at a constant cycle, the video data is held while being sequentially updated, and when there is a request, the video data is located at the sender. To the video communication device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, a system in which a video storage / delivery device 44 is connected to the LAN 40 can be used. According to this system, the video storage / delivery device 44 sequentially receives the video data indicating the state of the ground from the video communication device of each ground, and holds the latest video data. Then, when there is a request, the video data about the ground to be removed by the receiver from the held video data is transmitted to the video communication device at the ground where the sender is located.

In the above embodiment, the portable terminal ID is transmitted from the portable terminal, but the ID of the user who is the holder of the portable terminal may be transmitted.

In the above embodiments, the communication support when the entire communication system is connected by the LAN 40 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also applicable to support in a communication system connected by communication means other than LAN.

[0058]

According to the present invention, it is possible to know the convenience of the receiver before the sender starts communication. More specifically, it is possible to know in advance the image of the state of the ground where the recipient is located when the sender communicates. In addition, the information indicating the communication means that the recipient can use for communication,
There is an effect that you can know in advance.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a configuration of an embodiment of a communication support system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a correspondence table showing correspondence between base stations and installation locations.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a correspondence table of mobile terminal IDs and user IDs.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table of personal communication means.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table of ground communication means.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a transfer destination telephone number table.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a table of individual whereabouts.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of registration processing of position information when a user enters the ground.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a search process for the sender to know the status of the receiver.

FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram showing an example of communication means display on the opposing terminal, and b is an explanatory diagram showing an example of status display by video on the display.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an exchange.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal management device.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a personal information storage management device.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a video communication device used in the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a mobile terminal used in the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the outline of the configuration of another embodiment of the communication support system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... ground A, 11 ... display, 12 ... video camera, 13 ... video communication device, 14 ... base station a, 15 ... mobile terminal a, 16 ... telephone a, 17 ... user a, 20 ... ground B, 21 ... large Screen display, 22 ... video camera,
23 ... video communication device, 24 ... base station b, 25 ... portable terminal b, 26 ... telephone b, 27 ... user b, 30 ... ground C,
31 ... Large screen display, 32 ... Video camera, 33
... video communication device, 34 ... base station c, 35 ... mobile terminal c,
36 ... Telephone c, 37 ... User c, 40 ... LAN, 41
... switchboard, 42 ... mobile terminal management device, 43 ... personal information storage management device, 44 ... video storage / delivery device, 45 ... public network,
50 ... Base station installation location table, 55 ... Mobile terminal user table, 6
0 ... personal communication means table, 70 ... ground communication means table, 75 ... transfer destination telephone number table, 80 ... personal position information table, 85 ... ground state image table.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Reference number within the agency FI Technical indication location H04Q 7/38 (72) Inventor Yoshinori Miyamoto 1-280, Higashi Koigokubo, Kokubunji, Tokyo Hitachi, Ltd. Central Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Makoto Ujiie 216 Totsuka-cho, Totsuka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Hitachi Ltd., Information & Communication Division

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A communication support system for supporting a plurality of grounds connectable via a communication system including at least one communication means when communicating from any ground to any other ground. Then, the image capturing means for capturing the image showing the state of the ground, the display means for displaying the image, the image data from the image capturing means, and transmitting the captured image data for other ground, And, receiving the sent video data about other ground,
A video communication device to be displayed on the display means is provided for each ground, and when there is a request for information indicating the status of another ground from any ground via the communication system, communication is performed. Through the system, to the other video communication device to the ground,
A communication support system comprising means for instructing to send video data about the ground to a video communication device at the requesting ground. 2. The video communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the video communication device includes a communication connection means for performing communication via a communication system, and a storage means for updating and storing video data captured from the image capturing means each time the video data is captured. And a means for outputting the video data received by the communication connection means to the display means, the communication support system. 3. The display means according to claim 1 or 2,
A communication support system having a display capable of displaying a person in a life-size image. 4. The communication support system according to claim 1, further comprising user position registration means for registering user position information indicating the location of the user at the ground. 5. The user position registration means according to claim 4, wherein each of the mobile terminals is provided with a plurality of mobile terminals to which unique identifiers are assigned, and each mobile terminal is located within the ground. The information of the base station that detects the terminal identifier and the detected mobile terminal identifier is received from the detected base station via the communication system, and the information indicating the correspondence between the base station and the mobile terminal identifier is stored. A communication support system comprising: a mobile terminal management device having a means for 6. A communication support system for supporting a plurality of grounds connectable via a communication system including at least one communication means when performing communication from any ground to any other ground. A plurality of mobile terminals to which unique identifiers are respectively assigned, a base station that is provided for each ground and detects the identifiers of mobile terminals located within the ground, and the detected mobile phones. A mobile terminal management device having means for receiving terminal identifier information from the detected base station via the communication system and storing information indicating a correspondence relationship between the base station and the mobile terminal identifier. Communication support system. 7. The wireless communication unit according to claim 5 or 6, wherein each mobile terminal is provided with the wireless communication unit capable of communicating with the base station by wireless communication and the wireless communication unit when the power is turned on. And a means for transmitting the generated identifier. 8. The personal information storage management device according to claim 7, further comprising: a personal information storage management device that stores and manages personal information of a user who holds the mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal management device has a correspondence relationship between the mobile terminal and a user who holds the mobile terminal. Using a means for recording information indicating in advance, the information indicating the correspondence relationship between the mobile terminal and the user holding the mobile terminal, and the information indicating the correspondence relationship between the base station and the identifier of the mobile terminal, which are stored. , A unit for generating information indicating the location of the user and transmitting the information to the personal information storage management device via the communication system. 9. The portable terminal according to claim 8, wherein the mobile terminal has at least an input unit capable of accepting an input for designating a user who is to be a recipient, and the wireless communication unit is capable of designating a user who is to be a recipient. To
Means for transmitting to the personal information storage management device via the base station, a display unit for displaying the data generated by itself and the data transmitted from the outside, and the contents received by the wireless communication unit are displayed. A communication support system, further comprising: means for displaying on a section. 10. The personal information storage management device according to claim 9, wherein the information indicating the communication means that the user can personally use, and the information indicating the communication means that can be used at a certain ground.
A communication means information registration means for registering communication means information including at least one of them, a user position information storage means for receiving and storing information indicating a user's location, which is sent from the mobile terminal management device, and a base station. When receiving the designation of the user to be the receiver sent from the mobile terminal via the mobile terminal, the communication means information of the designated user is read from the communication means information registration means by referring to the user position information, and the communication system is set up. A communication support system comprising means for transmitting to the mobile terminal management device via the communication device. 11. The mobile terminal management device according to claim 10, further comprising means for transmitting communication means information sent from the personal information storage management means to a sender's mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal is the wireless terminal. A communication system characterized in that the means for displaying the content received by the communication unit on the display unit displays the communication means information sent from the mobile terminal management device on the display unit. 12. The communication system according to claim 8, further comprising a telephone set placed on each ground and an exchange for connecting an extension line and an outside line of the telephone set, and the personal information storage management device is: Communication means information registration means for registering communication means information including at least information indicating communication means including a telephone, which can be used in the ground, and information indicating the user's location, sent from the mobile terminal management device Then, by referring to the user position information storage means to be stored and the user position information, the communication means information at the ground where the user is located is read out, and the telephone number of the communication means of the ground data that can be used for each user Through a communication system to the exchange, and the exchange exchanges the transmitted telephone number as a transfer destination telephone number for the telephone number of the user up to that point. Communication support system characterized in that it comprises means for registering Te.